Hello, darlings! It's your favourite pink-loving, tutu-obsessed time traveller Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday installment of my Ballet Tutu History blog! This week we're travelling back to 7th April 1896, a date bursting with whimsical fashion, stunning ballet performances and, of course, tutuland. Buckle up, dear readers, as we prepare to step onto a magical carriage straight into the heart of Victorian elegance!
Tutu-licious History: 1896, the Golden Age of Dance
It's been a rather exhausting but delightful journey to get here! I managed to snag a seat on the express train from Paris. Oh my! Imagine all those opulent train carriages with their velvety seats, intricate carvings and delightful aroma of fresh croissants and strong black coffee. Sigh. This trip, however, is all about tutus, darling. It’s the era of Romantic ballet, you see, the epitome of delicate steps, fluttering silk, and romantic storylines. We’re in the heart of tutuland, and things are about to get fabulous!
The Grand Paris Opera and Beyond
The Parisian Opera house was my first stop, naturally. Oh, to witness the glorious, sprawling architecture, the grand chandeliers, and, of course, the electrifying atmosphere that pulsated throughout the entire space! It's almost enough to make a girl swoon! My mind boggles thinking about how the crowds would have felt seeing Giselle, Swan Lake or La Bayadère, a true masterpiece of this era!
Oh! Speaking of La Bayadère! Isn’t the costume exquisite? The layers of tulle in vibrant pinks and blues - just dreamy! It’s no surprise it continues to enchant ballet lovers across the globe, from New York to Sydney. It’s this timeless artistry that La Bayadère, in all its grandeur and emotional intensity, truly embodied the spirit of ballet at the end of the 19th century. We owe so much to the iconic ballets of the period. They gave birth to what is known as "Classical" ballet - graceful, flowing and absolutely elegant, and not a stitch of restrictive clothing to be found!
I absolutely adore this period for its captivating designs. If you are looking for fashion inspiration, the designs from the Victorian period, particularly those of ballet, were a dream for fashion designers and fashion lovers like myself!
Now, on that lovely day in 1896, if we were to peek into the ateliers of prominent costume designers, we would see delicate layers of tulle swirling, silk being meticulously gathered and sparkling gems carefully being sewn onto the beautiful bodices of future ballerina dreams. These beautiful garments represented not just fashion, but a tangible element of storytelling, a visual element in the artistry of ballet.
I can still hear the rustling of tulle and see the light catching the glittering sequins! And let's not forget the exquisite colours. These are the early days of ballet, and the tutus in these days are full of romance, colour and passion.
The "Romantic" period was a time when tutus embraced a beautiful spectrum of hues ranging from the most romantic deep crimson red through the most heavenly pale pinks and azure blues. Each hue told its story, each one captured the heart. I find it absolutely thrilling that even today, we can see this rich history echoed in contemporary productions!
Fashion Trends 1896 - The Dress of a Ballet Dancer and an Inspiration
Just to imagine! If I was to have a stroll along the Champs-Élysées during that golden era, I’d be completely enmeshed with fashion's beautiful, soft details. It's a visual treat! The skirts of women’s fashion had such lovely, large volumes. They had frills, flounces and all kinds of lovely detailing. They were made of lace, delicate cotton, satin and sheer fabrics like silk tulle. We have our wonderful fashionistas like Worth, Charles Frederick Worth, and the incomparable Paul Poiret to thank for all this luxurious splendor. Oh! To walk in such exquisite designs, they are just dreamy, dear readers!
As I walk through 1896 in my lovely pastel pink tutu, I'm already inspired. How delightful to see all of the elegance and feminine beauty of the fashion trends reflected in the ballerinas’ attire! A long white tunic paired with an alluring tutu - pure perfection! They wore small waist cinched jackets, beautiful blouses and exquisite shoes and, of course, tutus - it is an effortless look of delicate beauty, poise and romantic elegance. These lovely looks gave birth to a whole range of designs that are still influential in fashion today. There are those sparkly embellishments on a beautiful, silk gown - it’s a timeless, exquisite design and a testament to the talent and the creativity of these fabulous designers of the 1800s!
Oh, darling! If I could just get my hands on an elegant satin jacket and an airy, silk gown and a pink, layered, frilly tutu! And how perfect are the little hats adorned with a feather and a lovely ribbon - just darling. The feminine glamour!
You know the greatest inspiration is the timeless combination of femininity and effortless beauty embodied by the tutus of that era!
More Tutu Tuesday Thoughts: My Musings about Ballet
As the final bell chimes of my lovely 1896 visit rings out, I can’t help but reminisce about how wonderful it is to see so many iconic ballets like Swan Lake and Giselle still enchant and inspire audiences. They remain a reminder of this historical and important era of dance. It is beautiful to know that the captivating stories, emotions, and exquisite technique still enthral us, bringing magic and dreams to each audience member, each time the music begins and the curtain rises!
Oh darling, these tutuland journeys are just magical! There's just so much to explore and discover! So much beauty, and passion and joy, and a captivating artistry in everything I see!
I’m off to discover more tutu-filled wonders next Tuesday - and don’t forget, darling, keep dancing your way into the wonderful world of tutus! You are an amazing person, you know that, so never stop dancing through life, wearing a lovely smile and always embrace your pink tutu-ness. See you all soon for another #TutuTuesday!
